David Kendrick Brooks

David Kendrick Brooks, 97, passed away Thursday, October 27, 2011 at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, MS. A funeral service will be held at 1:30pm on Saturday at St. James’ Episcopal Church, 3921 Oak Ridge Drive in Jackson with inurnment in the St. James Columbarium. Visitation will be at noon Saturday in Oak Ridge Hall at St. James. Born on January 21, 1914 in Pensacola, FL, David graduated from Central High School in Jackson before attending Millsaps College. After college, he met and married his beautiful bride, Marguerite Hamilton, to whom he was married for 55 years. David was a veteran of World War II; following the war, David entered the oil and gas business, first as an independent landman and later as an independent oil and gas operator. Among his many professional accomplishments was the founding of the Chatom oil and gas field in Washington County, AL. He was the founder of Bruxoil, Inc as well as its president until his death. Anyone who knew David knew his love for golf. His love of the game began during the Depression, when he worked as a caddy. David was an avid golfer who had his last hole-in-one at the age of 93. When he wasn’t playing golf, one could find David on his bulldozer knocking down trees on rural properties in the country. David also loved the water, whether it be a lake he built himself (Brooks Lake, Rankin County); the Florida Gulf Coast, where he spent countless vacations with his family; or at his second home on the bayou in Gautier, MS. David was deeply religious and spiritual and was instrumental in the founding of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Jackson. He was heavily involved in the Jackson community in both charitable and social organizations, and provided educational assistance to many. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marguerite and his son, David Kendrick Brooks, Jr. He is survived by his daughter, Beverly Brooks Brooke of Jackson, MS; grandson Michael Brooke and his wife Jacquline of Columbus, MS; granddaughters Beverly Elaine of Memphis, TN; Amanda Dell of Gainesville, FL; Laurel Elizabeth of Poughkeepsie, NY; and Caroline Brooks Shaver and her husband Daniel of Alexandria, VA, as well as two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Marjorie B. Helfrich of Bolton, MS and Mary B. Pittman of Jay, FL; brother Col. Philip Brooks of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and numerous nieces and nephews, including his nephew and business partner Ray Helfrich and niece Mary Lou McCoy, who brought him guacamole every Wednesday for lunch. The family would like to thank Clara Johnson and Heather Smiley for caring for David for the last two years; RC Hughes, who has been his friend and right-hand man for nearly 30 years; and Dorothy Jaubert, his office manager and friend of over 20 years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Stewpot Community Services, 1100 West Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 392